Highest-drafted China-born player in NHL hopes to inspire kids back home
Simon Wang was chosen 33rd overall as the NHL concluded its newly decentralized draft. (AFP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Standard
9 hours ago
- The Standard
Chelsea boss questions whether US is suitable to host showpiece tournament
Players walk off the pitch after referee Slavko Vincic signals a weather delay in the second half of the match. (Reuters)
The Standard
13 hours ago
- The Standard
Highest-drafted China-born player in NHL hopes to inspire kids back home
Simon Wang was chosen 33rd overall as the NHL concluded its newly decentralized draft. (AFP)
South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Simon Wang goes 33rd overall to Sharks, making history as highest-drafted player born in China
Simon Wang became the highest-drafted player born in China when the San Jose Sharks selected him with the first pick of the second round of the NHL draft on Saturday. Wang's family moved from Beijing to Toronto when he was 12. The 6ft 5in defenceman surged forward in his development over the past year, showing more than enough potential to entice the Sharks with the 33rd overall selection. 'It's an unreal moment for my family, for hockey in China,' Wang said. 'Just a really surreal moment, a dream-come-true moment … I hope I've inspired a lot of kids back home.' His real name is Wang Haoxi, but said he planned to go by Simon during his hockey career because 'it's simpler for North Americans'. Wang is only the third Chinese-born player drafted by the NHL, but he knows he won't be the last. Kevin He was drafted 109th overall by the Winnipeg Jets last year, and Andong Song was chosen 172nd by the New York Islanders in 2015. Simon Wang poses with his mother on the red carpet before the NHL draft in Los Angeles. Photo: AP 'Hopefully one day my record will get broken again,' Wang said. 'Someone will go in the first round, even top 10. I think there will definitely be someone that's going to make a huge impact on the game.'
